Over the last year a small group of US based internet marketers formed a group called IM Charity, which is currently in the process of getting 5013c status (to become a non-profit). The group was formed so we could help use our talents for worthy causes. Currently, IM Charity helps to raise money for various charitable organizations through throwing fundraising events. In the future many of us will also donate time to non-profit organizations looking for a little help with their internet marketing strategy. Last year, through varous party’s at US search conferences like SES San Jose, SES NY and Scary SEO we raised nearly $100,000.

We’d like to start this year off on the right foot by throwing an IM Charity Party at SMX West on Tuesday February 10th. Yahoo! has been gracious enough to donate space and a variety of other things to help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Thanks to sponsors like the amazing Jim Boykin of We Build Pages, Clix and BOTW (the only directory) this event can happen and all money raised that night will go to charity.

For anyone who will be near Santa Clara, CA on February 10th you are officially invited! For a $40 donation, you get 4 hours of open bar (and we didn’t skimp on the alcohol), appetizers, and networking with the best of the best. To top it all of, there will be a raffle for some really amazing prizes like a pass to IM Spring Break, 1 year subscription to SEOmoz pro, an iPod Nano (thanks Tony Adam) and much much more. In fact, there are over $15000 in prizes. If you attend, be sure to come up and say hi and offer to bring me a drink.

If you aren’t near Santa Clara and won’t be making it to SMX West, you can still participate! Feel free to donate money for yourself , sponsor part of the event or if you are interested, throw an IM Charity event of your own. Just e-mail me lauren[at]lvlogic[dot]com or send me a message on Twitter @laurenv. Keep an eye on www.imcharityparty.com for information about future events.